Dear Friends,

Our October annual giving campaign began last Sunday. We continue this week with the beautifully filmed profiles of parishioners whose generosity of their time, talents and treasure will inspire us all.

Our campaign theme comes from the Gospel of Luke 17:5, when the disciples approach Jesus, saying, "Lord, increase our faith!” Kim Lemon, along with Damon Myers and Efrem Magtagnob, reflects on what this means for them and their membership with you at Saint James.

A letter of encouragement from us, as your clergy, along with instructions for making a pledge, should have arrived at your home this past week. Please let us know if you did not get it. Copies will also be available at the back of the church.

Click here to pledge online or download the pledge form. Tap

717-397-4858 to call the office with any questions or click here to email the office.

Yours in Christ,

David, Stacey & Glenn

Saturday, October 11 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Women's Gathering

Via Zoom

Women's Gathering begins its new season with Richard Rohr's book about embracing the prophetic "way of tears."

This book draws on the enduring teachings of biblical prophets and the compassionate insights of Richard Rohr to reveal how our trials in life can ignite hope, justice and love in our hearts.

Join Women's Gathering to learn and discover how our struggles can become a sacred call to action. Click here to email Lorrain Rollo for the Zoom link.

Sunday, October 12 | 9:30 AM

Sunday Morning Forum

Parish House Forum Room

When God created human beings in the image of God, God granted them dominion over fish, birds and every living thing that moves upon the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). These verses have been blamed for much of the ecological disaster of our time, since they seem to mean that God has given human beings the ability to exploit all creatures for their own benefit. But is this what Scripture means by dominion? According to Psalm 72, true dominion means freeing the poor and the needy from oppression and violence. Both Isaiah and Jesus insist that true dominion is the opposite of arrogance and tyranny.

Join us this Sunday as we explore what Scripture might mean by saying that human beings have been granted dominion over the creatures with whom we live.

Available in person and via Zoom. Click here to join via Zoom.

Sunday, October 12 | 11:30 AM

Faith and Blue: Building Bridges to More Inclusive Communities

An intergenerational gathering!

Join us after the 10:30 AM Mass on Sunday, October 12, for a light brunch and some friendly conversation with our Lancaster City Police Department and clergy.

Faith & Blue is all about making our neighborhoods safer and bringing us closer together. This initiative connects local police, families, and community groups with nearby faith-based organizations. Together, we can work towards creating a stronger community for all! Everyone, regardless of age, is welcome to join the conversation!

This is a family-friendly event in which our officers will bring coloring books and stickers for the kids. Please click here to register for planning purposes.

All Saints' and All Souls' Season

Remembering our dearly departed

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebrate our belonging in Christ. All Saints’ Day honors individuals whose lives reflect the grace of God, providing an opportunity to express gratitude for how that grace shapes human life. It encourages us through the example of the saints, reminding us that sanctity can develop in both ordinary and challenging circumstances.

In contrast, All Souls’ Day allows us to remember those whom we have known personally—who gave us life and nurtured our faith—expressing our gratitude for them before God.

If you have a loved one who died between October 30, 2024, and Monday, October 27, 2025, and would like them to be remembered, there are three ways to submit your name. You can click here to use the form on our website. You can click here to email Kristle Evans, our Pastoral Care Coordinator, or you can tap 717-397-4858 to call the church office.

The name submission deadline is Monday, October 27th.

For the Month of October

Urban Well Yoga Studio News!

During the month of October, newcomers are invited to enjoy complimentary mindful yoga sessions. If you're interested in mindful yoga but uncertain about which style is right for you, this is an excellent opportunity to try gentle or chair yoga and find your best fit!

With the appointment of Sarah Shelton as our Mindful Yoga Studio Coordinator, she will also begin teaching privately at the Urban Well Yoga Studio through her business, Holding Space Yoga. Her new students will receive two free classes in October. For more information about Holding Space Yoga and to contact Sarah, click here.

The Urban Well Yoga Studio is located in the lower level of the Parish house (119 North Duke Street). Click here for session times.

Tuesday, October 14 | 7:00 PM

Healing the Divide

In the first 3 weeks of Healing the Divide, we explored how difficult conversations impact us physically. By paying attention to our body's sensations, we cultivate a deeper mind-body connection that can enhance our well-being and emotional regulation while improving our ability to listen more intently.

In the coming weeks, we will focus on improving our outward communication skills. We will practice listening attentively to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives of those around us and to identify any obstacles that may hinder our communication.

It's not too late to register for these sessions! The group meets in person and via Zoom on Tuesday evenings through November 18th, in the Chapel, from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Click here to register. Thank you for your commitment to healing the divide within yourself so that you can help heal the divide in the world.

Wednesday, October 15 | 3:00 PM

Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

Willow Valley residents are invited to join clergy and staff from Saint James and Holy Trinity Lutheran churches to celebrate Holy Eucharist in Manor North Auditorium, located on the third floor of the main building in Manor North. All are welcome; bring a friend!

Saturday, October 18 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Upper Room Men's Group

Join the Upper Room Men's Group for breakfast in the parish house forum room on October 18th. Men of all ages are welcome to enjoy a time of food, fellowship and engaging discussions on some of today's most important topics. Bring a friend and your appetite! For more information, click here to email Chuck Smith.

Sunday, October 19 | 9:30 AM

Women's Bible Study

Join Kristy Clark for Bible study, prayer and fellowship in the parish house library. This is a time to get to know each other better and grow in our faith. Women's Bible study meets the 3rd Sunday of the month. Have questions? Please click here to email Kristy Clark.

Sunday, October 19 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Lancaster Crop Hunger Walk

At Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

The Crop Walk is a mission-driven event where funds raised help feed those most vulnerable in our community, as well as support programs addressing food insecurity worldwide. Whether one takes part in the physical walk, helps raise money, or simply donates, you are making a tremendous impact for the greater good. The event is held rain or shine. Free to walk, but donations/pledges are welcome.

1:00 PM Registration

1:30 PM Program

2:00 PM Walk begins

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is located at 64 Hershey Ave, Lancaster, PA. Click here to learn more and join Team Saint James!

Sunday, October 19 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Youth Group

Pumpkins, Werewolves & Treats, Oh My!

Fall is here, and Youth Group is bringing the festive fun! We’ll share dinner together, then enjoy a cozy (and slightly spooky) night of pumpkin painting, a round of Werewolf, a showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Halloween treat-making.

But we’re not keeping the fun to ourselves. Our spooky snacks will be shared with the younger children of Saint James on Sunday, October 26, as well as with the Habitat for Humanity crew and the family moving into their new home.

Teens are also invited to help spread the joy by handing out treats at our intergenerational coffee hour on October 26 at 9:30 AM. A $5 donation, at the door, per teen to help cover pumpkins and supplies, is welcome (but not required).

Bring your fall spirit and a friend. This is going to be a night you do not want to miss! Please register by October 17^th. Click here to register!

Habitat for Humanity Team Announces October Build Dates

All are invited to join the Saint James and friends Habitat for Humanity team to help with the build in October.

Location: 1021 Walnut Street in Lebanon

Time: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Dates: Wednesday, October 22 through Friday, October 24

Wednesday, October 29 & Thursday, October 30

Meet new homeowner, Estefanye. She will be the first person in her family to own a home. And hopefully, she says, she’ll be the first of many future homeowners in her family.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own home, where I can see my kids grow up and then pass it down to them,” says Estefanye, a 26-year-old single mother of four young children. “I wanted to show my kids that anything can happen if you put in the work.”

If you can't help on site but would like to contribute financially, you can click here to donate online. Be sure to select Saint James Habitat from the dropdown menu.

For volunteering on the job site, click here to learn more.

Saturday, November 1 - Monday, November 3

Encountering Disability,

Three Days of Community Building

Saturday, Nov 1: At Saint James: A family-friendly, intergenerational day of contemplative experiences, including a labyrinth, movement, poetry, music, sound, and art, along with a curated art show of works by Friendship Community artists like the painting above.

Sunday, Nov 2: At Saint James: A saint for our times: Vassar Miller and the Poetry of Disability: A brunch lecture by The Rev. Canon Dr. Judith Maltby following the 10:30 AM Mass.

Monday, Nov 3: At Millersville University, this is a conference that reflects on community health and policy changes affecting everyone with disabilities and their families.

Click here for more information and to register for all or part of the event.